In follow up to discussion of a certain author of a certain book that I will not afford the dignity of a name, here's some cases of Elizabeth being very definitely not docile, pre-proposal. To quote:

At Lucas Lodge:

Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman...

At Netherfield:

Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him, was amazed at his gallantry; but there was a mixture of sweetness and archness in her manner which made it difficult for her to affront anybody,

And the next evening she says to him:

“That is a failing, indeed!” cried Elizabeth. “Implacable resentment is a shade in a character. But you have chosen your fault well. I really cannot laugh at it. You are safe from me.”

Pretty strong words.

Finally, Elizabeth actually does manage to affront him at the Netherfield ball, it just wears off pretty fast:

She said no more, and they went down the other dance and parted in silence; on each side dissatisfied, though not to an equal degree; for in Darcy’s breast there was a tolerably powerful feeling towards her, which soon procured her pardon, and directed all his anger against another.